Silly Thinking

And now Movielog with Jim Farris.

Today's feature film: "My Architect".

Interesting, highly personal documentary is some how kind of sad and distant, very much reflective of the subject of this piece.

The subject is Luis I. Kahn the architect who blazed the trail of post-modern architecture in the late 60’s and 70’s. Early in his life Kahn tried to devote himself to modernism, the sleek, cold glass and metal towers that populate modern American cities in the post-war era, but he never took to it. After a trip to Italy he decided that buildings are monuments and as such built monumental buildings. In doing so he tapped into a type of building that a New Frontier was yearning for. Kahn felt very strongly that buildings should reflect what they are, granite, cement, with bolts and wood, and he demanded they show their heritage; so most of his structures have a gray, somber exterior. A lot of them look institutional in nature, reflecting his impoverished childhood in the slums of Philadelphia but inside; these places are rich with diversity, with natural light, winding halls and protruding doorways and entrances. Rooms sweep threw the insides of these structures teasing you, calling you, to continue your journey.

He was a demanding genius that cared little for money and his few buildings on college campuses, in downtown redevelopments, and foreign capitals, are all controversial and unforgettable.

The art museum in Texas, The Salk Institute in California, and his triumph, the Capital of Bangladesh, all are singular, stark, exteriors with ferocious interiors. The Bangladesh structure was started before the war with Pakistan in the 70’s, the building was not bombed because Pakistani pilots thought it was an ancient ruin. To many in Bangladesh Luis I. Kahn was, himself (and this magnificent building) symbols of their struggle for freedom. Kahn got the commission not caring for the amount he was paid, realizing that this structure was crucial to these peoples freedom.

The documentary is written, produced, and narrated by Nathaniel Kahn, Luis’s only son, and one of his two illegitimate children.

In looking at his life and work Nathaniel discovers his father was married and had two secret families as well. Three wives and children on the side. The two women that became his common law wives never remarried and stayed single parents when that was controversial. Neither woman has regrets and understood that this elusive, little, ugly man, was in love with them and they loved him. In an era when women who had children out of the bounds of traditional marriages were looked down upon and scorned, that these women should be proud is an amazing statement, not just on themselves but, on the man himself.

Kahn gained the respect of colleagues and was admired for his daring but he died, in debt, on the floor of Penn Station with no I.D. Alone.

One man commissioned Kahn to construct a ship for an orchestra to tour the world in, When it reaches ports worldwide the ship converts to a stage and concerts are given. This magnificent metal structure looks like it was made by Jules Verne and is still used for that purpose today. When the Captain meets Nathaniel he is informed that he is Luis’s son. He breaks down sobbing saying he had met the boy at Luis’s funeral and was told to never mention that Kahn had children outside his recognized marriage. The reality of this son on this journey is overwhelming to him. He loved Luis so much and says “You are Luis now…” hugs the boy, gathers his emotions and blithely says “Have a good concert!” and walks on. Probably what he says to a guest artist before any appearance and seemingly is unaware that this boy has no concert.

It is the heart of this story: acknowledge the emotion, steep yourself in it, then kiss it off and move on.

A hard, sad, but ultimately uplifting message of beauty and hope and contradiction.